Michael G. Earley is a native of County Mayo, Ireland, born in June 1845, a son of John and Rose (Stephens) Earley, both natives of the same county. The father died in Ireland in 1847 and the mother died in Erin, Wis., in 1864.

Michael G. received a common school education in Ireland and Wisconsin, after which he followed log driving and steamboating on the Mississippi River for eleven years. In 1872 he bought 240 acres of land in Erin, where he now resides. At the time of the purchase the land was all wild. He broke it and made many improvements, erecting a beautiful home and the necessary farm buildings. In the early days Mr. Earley raised wheat. Later he turned his attention to diversified farming, also breeding Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs, as well as other live stock and some fowls. Upon his well-equipped farm he has a sixty-five-foot well and a forty-foot windmill. Mr. Earley was married in the month of August, 1871, to Mary Garrity, daughter of Patrick and Catherine (Malony) Garrity, who were born in County Mayo, Ireland, and came to America in the early 60s, becoming prominent farmers of Erin township. Both Mr. and Mrs. Garrity are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Earley have been blessed with ten children, all of whom are industrious and well liked.

Mr. Earley is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic church. He served on the town board four years and as treasurer of the school board one year. He has been very successful and is a great believer in education. He is known by all his associates as a tender husband, a kind and considerate father and a very prominent citizen. (taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909)

Peter E. Engerbertson, manager of the Consolidated Lumber Company, which was organized in August, 1904, was born in Racine, Wis., June 18, 1883. His parents, J. M. and Carrie Engbertson, were natives of Norway. They came to the United States in 1880, locating at Racine. Peter was educated in the public schools of that place, after which he came to Hudson and entered the employ of the Central Lumber Company, where he was employed for five years. Subsequently he went with the Consolidated Lumber Company and in 1906 he became manager of the concern, a position which he still occupies. Mr. Engbertson is a member of the Mystic Workers, Sons of Norway. In 1905 he was united in marriage with Inga Gilbertson, daughter of August and Anna Gilbertson, of Hudson, originally from Norway. Mr. Engbertson is well liked by the concern that employs him and is respected by the men of whom he has charge. (taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909)

Dr. F. W. Epley is a native of Springwater, N.Y., born August 9, 1851, son of M.H. and Elizabeth (Price) Epley. The father was born in Pennsylvania, of German descent, being brought up as a Quaker. The mother was a devout Methodist all her life. M. H., after leaving school, spent his early days as a tailor, but later took up farming. He came to Green Lake county, Wisconsin, by canal and wagon, and later to Randolph, in the same state, where he spent the remainder of his days and died in 1908. F. W. received a good common school education and was early in life inspired with a desire to be a physician. He afterward came to Hudson, Wis., with Dr. C. F. King, of whom a sketch will be found elsewhere in this history, and engaged in the drug business. While running this store he studied works on therapeutics and thus received the rudiments of a medical education. He also acquired considerable knowledge while studying under a physician at Fond du Lac, Wis. Entering Rush College, at Chicago, Ill., he graduated in 1877. Prior to this he practices a short time in New Richmond in 1876, and upon leaving college located here permanently, having since continued to be one of New Richmonds leading men.

Dr. Epley was married, June 21, 1877, to Anna Hoyt, daughter of Dr. Otis and Eliza B. (King) Hoyt Her father was born in Sandwich, N. H., and graduated from Dartmouth college at Dartmouth, N. H., and the Jefferson Medical college, at Philadelphia, Pa. He served as surgeon in both the Mexican and Civil wars. He practiced for a time at Charlestown, Mass., and came west in 1849 at the close of the Mexican war, locating at St. Croix Falls, Wis. Aside from following his profession in that village he was postmaster, justice of the peace and assistant in the United States land office. He was sent to the legislature one term, and then went to Hudson, Wis., where he lived until his death. Dr. and Mrs. Epley have been blessed with five children: Grace is at home; Otis Hoyt graduated from the Rush Medical college in 1904 and is now attending to his fathers practice while the latter is taking a vacation for the benefit of his health; Mable E. is a music teacher, living at home; Mary is a student in an art and music college at Detroit, Mich., and Samuel C. is attending the New Richmond high school.

Dr. Epley has occupied a number of public offices. He has served as mayor of the city two years, also as health officer, as surgeon of both the Wisconsin Central and Northwestern railroads for twenty-five years, and as a member of the board of pension examiners. His medical affiliations include membership in the State Medical society, of which he was president in the year of its fiftieth anniversary, county medical societies, the American Medical Association, the Minnesota State and Fox River Medical societies (honorary), and the Inter-county Medical society of which latter he has been secretary and president. He has been a Mason for twenty-five years, and also belongs to the Odd Fellows. Both he and his son, Otis Hoyt, are Knights Templar.

His public activities have by no means been confined to the field of medicine. Her erected the first long distance electric transmission waterpower plant in this part of the country at Somerset, on the Apple river, and also planned the building of the long distance transmission plant which lights New Richmond at the present time. He has always been a public-spirited and up-to-date man, and every worthy cause finds in him an able advocate. In his profession he is skilled, learned and possessed of a magnetic personality, and as a man he is one of Natures noblemen, educated and progressive, a considerate father, a loving husband, a faithful friend and a valuable citizen.

Mrs. Epley is a woman of many accomplishments and has acknowledged literary ability. Her description of the great cyclone of New Richmond, 1899 is regarded far and wide as a model of vivid word picturing and accurate reporting. Mr.s Epley was also one of the principal founders of the New Richmond library. The first meeting to consider the library was held at her home and she has since continued one of its active friends and advocates. Both Dr. and Mrs. Epley occupy an enviable position of honor and respect throughout the community at large.

Since the above was in type, Dr. Epleys death occurred, September 23, 1908.

Reference: Taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909

Lewis Erikson was born in Norway, November 25, 1847, a son of Erik and Kjersti Larson. The parents came to the United States in the early days, settling first in Green County, later coming to St. Croix County in the seventies, spending their remaining days here. In early life Lewis followed the seafaring life for nine years mostly on the pacific coast, also passing through the Straits of Magellan. He afterward crossed the Isthmus of Panama, then making the trip from Colon to New York. In 1873 he settled in Star Prairie, where he has since resided. He now owns 120 acres of fine farm land, upon which he has made all the improvements and where he carries on general farming, raising the usual crops and breeding graded stock, sheep hogs, horses and other live stock. Adjoining this farm on the north is Cedar Lake, upon the banks of which Mr. Erikson has a fine summer resort, Breezy Point, where he rents boats during the summer months. The place is very beautiful, and Mr. Erikson has been offered large sums for it but he has always refused, knowing that the property will be worth still more in future years. Mr. Erikson was married in 1882 to Agnes Brevold. Three children have blessed this union: Cyrus H. is attending Hamlin College at St. Paul; Walter L. attends the New Richmond High School and Arthur M. is at home. Mr. Erickson votes independently and has held a number of public offices, such as side supervisor, chairman of the town and member of the school board. Reference: Taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909

Charles John Everson was born in Norway on March 25, 1866, and came to America with his parents Andrew and Johanna Johnson Everson, during the same year. He received his education in the public schools of Kinnickinnic Township and remained with his parents until attaining his majority. He has followed the occupation of a farmer all his life. March 24, 1896, saw him united in marriage with Miss Hattie Zillmer, a daughter of Gustav and Minnie Zillmer, who has borne him three children: Myrtle Irene, Ralph Wallace and Charles Wlliam Everson, and they are eleven, nine and seven years of age respectively. Charles, like his brother Julius, attends the services of the Congregational church, and is also a member of the American Society of Equity of Wisconsin. While giving intelligent attention to public affairs Mr. Everson never has been closely identified with political parties, but is nominally a Republican. He has recently purchased a fine farm of 300 acres, over one-half of which is tilled, and the remainder utilized as hay land and pasture. (taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909)

Julius E. Everson is regarded as one of the most prosperous and best known farmers in Kinnickinnc Township,. Mr. Everson might be also considered a native of the township, being brought here from Norway by his parents when only two years old. He was born January 27, 1863, in Norway and his parents, Andrew and Johanna Everson, arrived in Kinnickinnic Township in 1865, where they lived until their death. Julius was educated in the public schools near his home, and remained at home until his marriage to Amanda Gilstead, a daughter of Andrew A. Gilstead, one of the first settlers in Pleasant Valley township. They were married in 1889, and are the parents of five children, bestowing upon them the names of Arthur A., John M., Agnes J., Henry M. and George D. Everson. Mr. Everson belongs to the Congregational church, of which he is a regular attendant. He is a votary of Republicanism, but has never attempted to assume the role of a politician. He has held the position of school clerk, and is at present the director of the board. He is not a member of any order, excepting the American Society of Equity. He has 300 acres under cultivation, which is partially devoted to raising feed for his large flock of sheep, of which he makes a specialty, marketing several thousand pounds of wool annually, as well as farm fattened mutton. (taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909)